Michiyo Kidokoro, from Shizuoka, has been the General Manager (‘okami’) at Tofuya Resort in Izu for 37 years. Things have changed over the years but Michiyo continues to look after customers and focus on ‘omotenashi’.
What do you think Japanese companies and/or government needs to do to help women in Japan?
While we still see the predominance of men over women, I would like to think we are moving in the right direction and that our industry, and particularly women in hospitality management, are helping to bring about change.
What advice do you have for the next generation of women in Japan?
The world has become smaller and much is going on, but please always try to remember the heart and soul that is Japan and what it means to be Japanese.
城所倫代は静岡市ご出身です。37年間、伊豆市にあります旅館「東府や」の女将を務めています。東府やはリゾート・スパに生まれ変わったが、おもてなしの心は変わらずです
日本の政府や企業に期待する、女性が活躍なるための支援はどのようなものがあるでしょうか？
日本は男尊女卑がまだまだありますので少し難しく感じます。女将であっても悩まされる事が多々あります。
次世代の若い女性たちへ何かアドバイスはありますか？
全世界がいろんな意味で近くなって来たが、皆さまには日本の心を是非伝え続けてほしい。